Display sign structure



Sept. 27, 1966 w. SCHUBERT 3,274,720

DISPLAY SIGN STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 8, 1964 United States Patent O 3,274,720 DISPLAY SIGN STRUCTURE Wilfried Schubert, Northlake, Ill., assigner to Wagner Sign Service, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 394,760 Claims. (Cl. l0-143) This invention relates to display signs and more specilfcally to an arrangement of structural members formed to interlock with each other into a rigid structure and is an improvement in certain aspects of the structure shown in U.S. Patent 2,633,652 and in its broadest aspect relates to mounting of panels on an associated support.

In the types of signs under consideration it is expedient to provide parts which are easily assembled and which will withstand severe buffeting by the weather and which have exceptional durability in addition to providing aesthetic appeal.

A general object of the invention is to provide a sign possessing the characteristics heretofore enumerated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel sign construction wherein the parts are formed to interlock with each other into a unitary structure.

A further object is to provide a novel display sign cornprising a plurality of structural members which are readily adapted to be cut to desired lengths to make up signs of different sizes without destroying the interlocking characteristics of these members and which may be assembled in a facile manner.

A different object ofthe invention is to provide a novel sign construction wherein the parts once assembled cannot normally be taken apart in the same manner as they were putt together but, if desired, may be separated without destroying the parts.

A more speci-c object of the invention is to provide a sign structure comprising uprights which are formed with sets of locking lugs which have clasping engagement with complementary locking ribs on the back sides of horizontally extending background members which span across the uprights.

The invention comprehends the provision on the uprights of pairs of vertically spaced opposing locking lugs which project forwardly from the front wall of the uprights, the lower lof the lugs of each pair developing a V- shaped slot with the plane of the front wall of the upright and providing a downwardly and inwardly sloping wedge surface engageable with a complementary surface on the front web of a V-shaped rib which is formed on the back side of a background panel member mounted thereon, said lower lug being adapted to be sprung forwardly from the front wall of the upright to permit entry of the upper edge of a rear web of the V-shaped rib under the lower edge of the upper lug,

The invention also comprehends providing an upstanding shoulder or ledge along the upper edge of the rear web of the V-shaped rib of the background panel for abutment with the forward side of the upper lug while the front web of the V-shaped rib engages the rear side of the lower lug which urges the panel upwardly whereby the ledge prevents the panel from displacing rearwardly and the lower lug, through abutment with the front web of the rib, prevents the panel from moving forwardly while at the same time, since the engagement between respective yparts is along generally flat parallel surfaces, the panels, by endwise withdrawal from the lugs, may be disassembled from the uprights.

Another object of the invention is to provide a background panel structure incorporating wedge-locking ribs which function not only to lock the panels to the uprights but also serve to rigidify the panels and further in being formed in V-shape provide rain gutters which cannel the rain -water -to opposite sides of sign to minimize dripping lCC on pedestrians when the sign is used on marquees and the like.

Another object of the invention is to develop a sign with a plurality of horizontally elongated panel structures arranged shingle fashion vertically, each panel structure having integral interlocking ribs which extend lengthwise of the panel structure intermediate its upper and lower edges in vertically spaced relation to the upper and lower panel structures, the upper portions of the panel structures being angled forwardly and upwardly and overlapping the lower portions of the panel structure thereabove to provide a continuous background surface, the upper edges of each upper portion having a wedge shaped bead for removably mounting thereon symbols to form a desired message, the .term symbols designating letters and characters such, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,048,040.

These and other objects and advantages inherent in and encompassed by the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specifications and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a front view of the lnovel sign structure partly in vertical section on line 1 1 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional View of the sign structure taken essentially on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section comparable to FIGURE 2;l

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary rear View of a panel; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary top edge view of a panel.

Describing the invention in detail there is shown in the drawings a display sign generally designated 2 which is adapted for mounting on any suitable wall structure 3, the sign comprising at least two channel shaped upright members 4, `4 which are spaced apart slightly less than the intended overall width of the sign.

Each upright channel member is preferably of galvanized sheet steel and comprises a forward upright intermediate wall 5 and a pair of rearwardly directed upright walls 6, 6 with rear edge outturned flanges 7, 7 which may be suitably apertu-red at spaced points 8, 8 for admitting screws or bolts therethrough which are secured to the base or wall 3.

The front wall 5 has punched out at regularly spaced vertical intervals a plurality of lower tabs or jaw elements or lugs 9, 9 which have generally horizontal parallel upper edges 10, 10. The lugs 9 slope downwardly and rearwardly, (it being understood that these terms downwardly, rearwardly, upward.ly, etc., are relative since the structure can be inverted and still come within the purview of this invention) and provide a downwardly and rearwardly sloping internal wedge surface 12.

Simultaneously, with the punching out of the lower lugs 9, there are punched out from the wall 5 upper lugs 13 which project downwardly and forwardly from the wall 5 and are relatively short in extent transversely of the wall 5 so that the lower edges 14 of lugs 13 project only a slight distance beyond the forward face 15 of front wall 5. The horizontal edges 14 are parallel with edges 10 and are spaced rearwardly therefrom and develop a space 16 therebetween for admitting therein a V-shaped locking rib 17 which is formed on the back side 19 of a horizontally elongated background panel structure 20.

Each panel structure 20 is preferably an aluminum extrusion rectangular in side elevation and comprises a generally flat relatively thin body portion 21 on which a pair of the aforesaid locking rib-.s 17 are formed, said ribs being vertically spaced apart on the order of the locking means on the uprights and being generally parallel with each other and with the top and bottom generally horizontal edges 23, 24 of the panel.

Each rib 17 has a rearwardly projecting junction ange 25 which extends substantially normal to the body por- I tion 21 of the panel, the rear edge of the junction ange 25 menging into the upper edge of a downwardly and rearwardly extending front web 26 of the locking rib whi-ch .is V-shaped in vertical cross-section. The front side 27 of the web 26 which wedges against the rear side 12 of lug is spaced rearwardly from the rear side 19 of the panel and develops a longitudinally elongated downwardly widening and opening pocket for admitting the upper edge portion of the associated lower lug 9 which has its upper edge opposing the underside surface 28 lof the junction ange 25. The lower edge of flange 25 merges in a downwardly directed apex 29 into the lower edge of an upwardly and rearwardly sloping flange 30 of the rib 17 and has a flat longitudinal horizontal upper edge 30 which snaps under the surface 14 of the associated lug 13 with attendant forward springing of the forward lug 9 as the rib is entered between the lugs 9 and 13 by forcing the same downwa-rdly which may be done as by hammering upon the upper edge 23 of the panel through a wooden block or the like so as not to deform the panel. To prevent the edge 30' from slipping behind the lug 13, there is provided an upright ledge 31 along the forward margin of lug 13 which overlaps the lug 13. Therefore it will be realized that the panels, as best seen in FIGURE 2 are individually locked in place by forcing downwardly, but once they are interlocked, they cannot `be normally withdrawn by lifting them off without deforming or destroying the sections. However, if the need should ever arise, the sign can be dismantled by withdrawing the panels endwise f-ro-m the uprights.

A flat rear vertical surface 33 is developed on the upper edge of flange 30 which seats against the vertical flat front face of each upright.

The instant interlocking mechanism develops a strong and exceptionally rigid sign structure with good aesthetic appeal.

In addition to the locking lugs 9, 13, each upright has punched outfrom its front wall .between the pairs of locking lugs a pair of laterally spaced -stops or abutrnents 35, 35 which project forwardly from wall 5. These stops are aligned vertically with the lateral edges 36, 36 of the lugs 9 and provide lateral abutment for vertical flanges 37 of the finish trim channels 39, said ange 37 having a plurality of downwardly and rearwardly sloping slots 40 vertically spaced on the order of vertical spacing of lugs 9 and admitting the same therein, it being noted that the panels are cut slightly short of the span between the outer lateral edges 36 of the outermost uprights. Thus after the panels are assembled to the uprights, the side trim channels are mounted at opposite sides of the sign as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 and the inner flanges or walls 37 are drawn up against opposite ends 42, 42 of the panels whilst the rfront walls 43, 43 of the trim channels cover the end uprights which at their sides are also covered by the outer walls 44 of the trim channels. The trim channels may be secured to the respective outer side walls 6, 6 by means of screws 45, 45 threaded through appropriate openings 46, 47 in adjacent walls 44, 46, it being noted that the walls 44 are of greater width than the walls 37. The slotted interlock between walls 37 and lugs 9 prevents the trim channels from canting forwardly even though the walls 44 of these channels do not seat against the respective outer lwalls 6 of the uprights.

Each panel has an upper ledge portion 47 which projects diagonally forwardly from the background and along its upper edge is formed with a downwardly widening wedge head 48 which intrudes into the space 49 between the portion 47 and the lower portion of the panel thereabove. For purposes of illustration there is shown symbol M mounted on the panels, said symbol being a hollow member and in its end anges 5t), 5() being provided withfdownwardly and rearwardly extending slots 51, 51 which are open through the rear edges 52 of the flanges 50. The slots 51 may be inverted V-shape of slightly less angularity than the engaging surfaces of the respective heads.

Top and bottom frame elements 54, 55 may be secured to the top and bottom ends of the members 4 to present a finished appearance.

It will be understood that a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, however, various other forms of the invention will become readily apparent within the scope of |the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A display sign structure comprising a plurality of uprights each having a pair of vertically spaced locking lugs projecting outwardly therefrom and defining an angular space therebetween, background panel elements adapted for vertical mounting on said uprights and each having wedge looking means, said elements each having a rear surface on which is mounted a generally V shaped rib having diverging side portions, the lower of the lugs of said pair developing a generally V shaped slot with the plane of the front wall of the upright and providing a downwardly and inwardly sloping wedge surface engageable with a complementary surface on one of said rib side portions, said lower lug being adapted to be sprung forwardly `from the front wall of .the upright to permit entry of the upper edge of said other side portion of the V shaped rib under the lower edge of the upper lug, and said panel elements having upper sign indicia mounting means.

2. The invention according -to claim 1 wherein said upper sign indicia mounting means comprises an upper edge portion on each panel element, said edge portion projecting forwardly Ifrom the background and which along its upper edge is formed with a downwardly widening lip means which extend-s upwardly and `forwardly for mounting on associated slotted member.

3.` A display sign structure comprising a pair of uprights, each of said pair of uprights having a front wall and being provided with a pair of vertically spaced opposed upper and lower locking lugs which project forwardly from the front wall of the uprights, a background panel member, said panel mem-ber having a back side on whi-ch is mounted a generally V shaped rib having a .front side Iportion and a rear side portion with fan upper edge, the lower of the lugs of each pair developing a generally V shaped slot with the plane of the 'front Wall of the upright and providing a downwardly and inwardly sloping wedge surface engageable with a complementary surface at the ffront side portion of ythe generally V shaped rib, said lower lug being adapted to be sprung forwardly from the front wall of the yupright to permit entry of the upper edge of the rear side portion of the V shaped rib under t-he lower edge of the upper lug.

4. The invention according to claim 3 and said rear web of the V shaped rib being provided with an upstanding ledge -along the upper edge thereof, said upper lug lh-aving a forward side for abutment with upstanding ledge, said front side portion of the V shaped rib engaging the rear side of the lower lug, said lower lug urging the panel upwardly, said V shaped rib having an upright ledge preventing the panel from being displaced rearwardly and the lower lug through abutment with the front side portion of the rib preventing 4the panel from moving forwardly, the engagement -between respective parts being along generally lflat parallel surfaces, the panels, by endwise withdrawal of the lugs being disassembled from the uprights.

5. The invention according to claim 'Band said rear side portion of the V shaped rib being provided with upstanding shoulder means along the upper edge thereof, said upper lug having a forward side for abutment with upstanding shoulder means, the fron-t side portionengaging the rear side of the lower lug, said lower lug` urging the panel upwardly whereby the shoulder means prevents the panel `from being displaced rearwardly and the lower lug through abutment with the front side portion of the rib prevents the panel from moving fonwardly, the engagement between respective parts being along generally flat parallel sur-faces, the panels, -by endwise withdrawal of the lugs may be disassembled from the uprights.

6. The invention according to claim 3 and said rear yside portion of the V shaped rib 'being provided with upstanding shoulder means along the upper edge thereof, said upper lug having -a forward side for abutment with the upstanding shoulder means the Ifront side por-tion of the V shaped rib engaging the rear side of the lower lug, said lower lug urging the panel upwardly whereby the shoulder means prevents the panel from being displaced reanwardly 'and the lower lug through abutment with the front side portion of the rib prevents the panel from moving forwardly.

7. A display sign structure comprising a plurality of uprights each having generally horizontally spaced sets of locking lugs, background panel s-t-ructure provided with generally horizontally spaced wedge-locking ribs interlocking with the respective lugs of t-he uprights rigidifying said panels, said locking ribs providing upper upright gutter means adapted to cannel a liquid to opposite sides of the panel structure the lugs of each set comprising an upper lug and a lower lug and the lower lug lbeing 'angled upwardly and forwardly and springable away from the respective upright, and the ribs each comprising downwardly converging portions `adapted to respectively engage the lower lug and the opposing side of the respective upright, at least one of said portions having an upwardly facing edge surface adapted to be underposed with respect to the upper lug, said upper lug extending from the plane of the related upright toward the lower lug, and said background panel structure further having a sign indicia support means.

`8i. A display sign structure comprising a plurality of horizontally elongated panel structures arranged shingle yfashion vertically, each panel str-ucture having integral interlocking ribs which extend lengthwise `of the panel structure intermediate yits upper and lower edges in vertically spaced relation to the upper and lower panel structures, said panel `structures having upper portions angled forwardly and upwardly and overlapping the lower portions of the panel structure thereabove to provide a continuous background surface, each upper portion having upper edges having a wedged shape bead for removingly mounting thereon associated symbols -to form a message support means for the panel structures comp-rising horizontally spaced uprights, said uprights having respective sets of vertically spaced looking lugs, the lugs of each set comp-rising an upper lug and a lower lug and the lower lug being angled yupwardly and forwardly and springable away Ifrom the respective upright, and the ribs each comprising downwardly converging portions adap-ted to respectively engage the lower lug and the opposing side of the respective upright, at least one of said portions having an upwardly facing edge surface adapted to lbe underposed with respect to the upper lug, said upper lug extending from the plane of the related upright toward the lower lug.

9. A structure comprising a plurality of uprights each having a pair of vertically `spaced locking lugs projecting upwardly thererom and dening a V shaped space therebetween, Ibackground panel elements adapted for vertically mounting on said uprights and each having wedged locking means to be .adapted to be en-tered into said spaces with attendant springing of said lugs clamping the locking means therebetween, finish trim Ichannels having side ianges with ysloping slots for receiving the lower lugs, providing a slotted interlock between the walls of the trim channels and the lower lugs to prevent the trim channels -from canting forwardly, said trim channels providing a cover arrangement `for the end uprights and have their side walls resting `against the side of the panel elements.

10. A display sign structure comprising upright means havling generally vertically spaced sets of locking lugs, the lugs of each set including an upper lug being angled upwardly and forwardly and springable away from the respective upright, background panel members having a rear surface, generally V shaped rib means including downwardly converging side portions mounted on the .rear surface, said converging side portions adapted to respectively engage the lower lug and opposing side of the respective upright, lat least one of said portions having 'an upwardly Ifacing edge surface adapted to be underposed with respect to the Iupper lug, said upper lug extending from the plane of the related uprig-ht toward the lower flug, and said background panel member having an upper edge `for supporting sign indicia.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,400,438 12/1921 Jaquette 40-140 2,213,393 9/1940 Hinr 40--140 2,224,069 12/ 1940 Wagner 40--140 2,272,733 v2/ 1942 Wamser 40-140 2,319,910 5/ 1943 Adler 404-140 2,395,197 2/1946 Schlanger 40-143 2,559,099 7/1951 West 24S-224 X 2,607,146 8/1952 Wagner 40-143 2,633,652 4/1953 Wagner et al 40-143 '2,956,360 10/1960 Adler 40-140 3,037,730 6/1962 Knoll et al. 248-224 X 3,142,124 7/1964 Ownby 40-140 EUGENE R. CAP'OZIO, Primary Examiner.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Examiner.

SHELDON M. B'E'NDER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY SIGN STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF UPRIGHTS EACH HAVING A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACED LOCKING LUGS PROJECTING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND DEFINING AN ANGULAR SPACE THEREBETWEEN, BACKGROUND PANEL ELEMENTS ADAPTED FOR VERTICAL MOUNTING ON SAID UPRIGHTS AND EACH HAVING WEDGE LOCKING MEANS, SAID ELEMENTS EACH HAVING A REAR SURFACE ON WHICH IS MOUNTED A GENERALLY V SHAPED RIB HAVING DIVERGING SIDE PORTIONS, THE LOWER OF THE LUGS OF SAID PAIR DEVELOPING A GENERALLY V SHAPED SLOT WITH THE PLANE OF THE FRONT WALL OF THE UPRIGHT AND PROVIDING A DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY SLOPING WEDGE SUR- 